The Georgia Bill That Could Prevent Some LGBTQ People From Adopting Is Unfair to Foster Kids

"I found my forever family with my two fathers."

In this op-ed, David Rivera explains how the Georgia bill that could prevent some LGBTQ people from adopting or fostering is harmful.

Being a child in foster care is hard enough. Now add on being told that the older you get, the more likely your chances of adoption can diminish; that, in many states, there is a shortage of foster and adoptive families available for you to find your home. Finding a family to call your own seems impossible; something only attainable in a dream.

For many youth in care, this is our reality: We are constantly living as if we are playing a game of cards, unsure which hand we will be dealt, in which home we will get placed, and if we will ever find our final match with a family to call ours forever. For me, this was my reality. By 17, I had already been in 18 foster homes — until I found my forever family with my two fathers.

My forever home includes my two dads, Mark and Scott, and my brother. When we met, I was a senior in high school in foster care on the verge of not graduating because I couldn’t maintain my grades. It was because of their love and support that I was able to graduate from community college, receive four associate degrees with honors, and become an active member at my school. As cliché as it sounds, if it wasn’t for finding my fathers when I was in foster care, I would not be where I am today.

As I reflect on my story, I know that I would be considered one of the lucky ones who found a happy ending. But my story should not continue to be so rare. Every child deserves to have a loving, supportive family, no matter its biological or physical makeup. To limit the “type of acceptable” parent for children only limits the chances and opportunities for youth in care to make lasting connections with families who want to — and are able to — love and support them. To deny one’s ability to love a child based on their sexual orientation is not only unjust but discriminatory.

Sadly, the state of Georgia is poised to do just that. The Keep Faith in Adoption and Foster Care Act would allow child welfare organizations to prohibit anyone that they feel does not fit their religious beliefs — like LGBTQ people — from adopting or fostering young people. With the 437,500 foster youth who are currently waiting for families, any bill about discrimination in any capacity towards a family who is positive, able, and willing to take in foster child is deeply upsetting. So far, this bill has been passed by the Georgia Senate; if it passes through the Georgia House of Representatives, it is possible that adolescents who could really benefit from a nurturing home — including LGBTQ ones — will not have the opportunity of finding them. I was fortunate enough to find such a stable and loving home with my two dads. If we really want to have better families for these foster youth, why would we discriminate towards anyone who would be willing to help a child?

I couldn’t imagine how my life would have turned out if it was not for my forever family. I would not have had a stable foundation for my future and success in college if it was not for them. I ask the lawmakers of Georgia and across the country in state legislatures: When making decisions about the lives of children, consider the implications of bills like this.